The short version goes something like this: Adeniji didn’t start at South Eugene High School. After playing at Orange Coast Community College in Costa Mesa, Calif., he walked on at OSU. He began last season second on the depth chart and without a scholarship. Then a strong performance during camp and an injury to the competition thrust him into a starting role.

AP Photo/Mark J. TerrillWith opportunity and scholarship in hand, Adeniji cashed in with 57 receptions for 807 yards and five touchdowns. His receiving statistics caught the eye of NFL scouts. But not more so than his vital statistics: 6-foot-3, 215 pounds.

One NFL scout said his team had no intentions of drafting or signing Adeniji, but not because he doesn’t appreciate his talents. The scout said that Adeniji doesn’t fit his team’s passing scheme, which requires ultra quick receivers. But he did say that Adeniji should definitely end up in a training camp for a team looking for a big receiver with tremendous body control.

“There‘s some limitations to his quickness and pure speed,” the scout said. “But his size is something that will be his asset. I like the way he can catch the ball away from his body. When a lot of guys jump they still catch with their chests but he reaches out and uses his hands very well.”

Despite all of the positives, the scout believes that Adeniji won’t get drafted because he had only one year of production at OSU.

“I think he’ll sign as a free agent,” the scout said.

Adeniji would take it.

“The goal obviously is to get drafted,” he said. “But free agency is not a bad thing, either. I just hope to get an opportunity.”

Adeniji might have increased his chances with what he described as a strong Pro Day in March that included him running the 40-yard dash in 4.53 seconds.

He said scouts wanted to see him run in the 4.6 range. He hopes his speed can help him improve on a focus of improvement: making plays after the catch.

“My personal goal is just to be able to get more yards after the catch,” he said.

Adeniji’s agent, Bill Heck who is based in Corvallis but works with Sportsstars Inc., based in New York, said he’s heard from about two thirds of the teams in the NFL regarding his client.

Heck, who also represents Carolina tight end Dante Rosario out of Oregon, admits that Adeniji only seeing one significant season of playing time at OSU hurts his stock. Had Adeniji had one more year at OSU, Heck said, he would have been able to play his way into being a lock to be drafted. Consequently, he doesn’t believe NFL teams will ignore his potential.

“The bottom line is that he’s going to get an opportunity to go to camp with somebody as a drafted guy or as an undrafted free agent,” Heck said. “With his size and the production he had I just can’t fathom an athlete like that not being in a camp.”